Mick Mills facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mick Mills
MBE

Personal information
Full name	Michael Dennis Mills
Date of birth	(1949-01-04) 4 January 1949 (age 76)
Place of birth	Godalming, Surrey, England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.71 m)
Position(s)	Full back
Youth career
1964–1966	Portsmouth
1966–1967	Ipswich Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1966–1982	Ipswich Town	591	(22)
1982–1985	Southampton	103	(3)
1985–1987	Stoke City	38	(0)
Total		732	(25)
International career
1967	England Youth	6	(0)
1970–1972	England U23	5	(0)
1972–1982	England	42	(0)
Managerial career
1985–1989	Stoke City
1990	Colchester United
2001	Birmingham City (joint caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Michael Dennis Mills (born 4 January 1949) is a famous English former footballer. He played as a full back for teams like Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Stoke City. He also managed Stoke City, Colchester United, and Birmingham City.

Mick Mills holds the record for the most games played for Ipswich Town. He was also the captain of the England team at the 1982 World Cup. In 1984, he received the MBE award for his great contributions to football.

Mick Mills' Football Journey

Early Days at Ipswich

Mick Mills first joined Portsmouth as a young schoolboy. However, the club closed its youth program. This meant Mick had to find a new team to start his career.

Ipswich Town signed him, and he played his first game for them in 1966. He was only 17 years old. Ipswich won that game 5–2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mick played as a full back, usually on the left side of the field. He became a regular player for Ipswich in 1969. This was the year after the club moved up to the top division, the First Division. It was also when Bobby Robson became the team's manager.

Captain and Champion

Mick Mills in 1978

Bobby Robson made Mick Mills the team captain in 1971. This started a strong partnership between the manager and his captain. Together, they led Ipswich to become one of the top teams for ten years.

In 1973, Ipswich finished fourth in the First Division. They also won the Texaco Cup and qualified for the UEFA Cup. Ipswich often finished high in the First Division and played in many European competitions.

Mick was an experienced captain leading a young team. Most players had come up through Ipswich's own youth system. In 1977, they finished third in the First Division.

The next season, 1978, was not great for Ipswich in the league. They finished 16th. But they had amazing success in the FA Cup. They reached the final and beat Arsenal 1–0 at Wembley. Mick, as captain, lifted the FA Cup trophy. This was Ipswich's first major trophy in 16 years.

Ipswich continued to do well, finishing in the top five every year from 1978 to 1982. In 1981, they almost won the First Division and the FA Cup. But they did win the UEFA Cup. Mick proudly collected this trophy after they beat AZ 67 Alkmaar in the final.

Moving On

In 1982, Bobby Robson told 33-year-old Mick that his contract with Ipswich would not be renewed. Mick joined Southampton in November 1982. He played 741 games for Ipswich over 17 years, which is a club record.

He played three seasons for Southampton, appearing in 123 games. In 1985, he left to become a player-manager at Stoke City. At Stoke, Mick played 44 more games before retiring as a player at age 38.

Playing for England

Mick Mills played for England at both youth and under-23 levels.

First Caps and Challenges

In the 1972–73 season, England manager Alf Ramsey gave Mick his first international game. It was a 1–1 draw against Yugoslavia at Wembley. Mick played at right back for England, a position he played more often for his country than for Ipswich.

His second England game was in 1976 against Wales. By the end of 1977, he had played eleven games for England.

Mick faced a lot of competition for the full back positions in the England team. Managers like Don Revie and Ron Greenwood often chose other players. However, Mick started to play more regularly for England in 1978. He played both left back and right back.

World Cup Captain

In 1979, another young player, Kenny Sansom, joined the team. This meant more competition for Mick at left back. But Mick became a regular left back for England as they qualified for the 1980 European Championships.

Mick was part of England's squad for the 1980 European Championships. He played in the final group game against Spain. In 1981, Mick played in four World Cup qualifying matches for the 1982 tournament. When England beat Hungary to reach their first World Cup in twelve years, Mick earned his 35th cap.

Mick was named captain for England's first game of the 1982 World Cup against France. This was because the usual captain, Kevin Keegan, was injured. England won 3–1. Mick stayed in the team for the other group matches, which England also won. England was knocked out of the tournament after two goalless draws in the second round.

From Player to Manager

Leading Stoke City

In 1985, Mick Mills became the player-manager of Stoke City. The club was in a very difficult situation. They had just been relegated from the First Division with very few points and little money.

Mick worked hard to bring back pride to the club. Stoke started well, beating Leeds United 6–2 in their third game. Money was still a big problem. The club had to sell players to reduce its debt. Stoke finished the 1985–86 season in 10th place, which was a good recovery.

More players were sold in the 1986–87 season. But with a new chairman, Peter Coates, some new players arrived. These included Lee Dixon and Mick's former Ipswich teammate Brian Talbot. Stoke's spirits were lifted with another big win over Leeds United (7–2). They climbed up the table but finished in 8th position.

The 1987–88 season was frustrating, with Stoke finishing 11th. More money was raised by selling Lee Dixon and Steve Bould to Arsenal. The 1988–89 season also saw Stoke finish in the middle of the table.

Mick was given a "final chance" to get Stoke promoted for the 1989–90 season. He was given £1 million to buy new players. He spent it all on players like Ian Cranson and Wayne Biggins. However, results were poor, and Stoke was at the bottom of the league. Mick was sacked in November 1989.

Other Coaching Roles

The next year, Mick became manager of Colchester United. The team was at the bottom of the league. Colchester was relegated, and Mick decided not to stay for the next season.

Later, Mick became a chief scout for Sheffield Wednesday. He then became a coach and Assistant Manager at Birmingham City. He even became a temporary manager there after Trevor Francis left.

What Mick Does Now

After working as a Technical Director for Galaxy Sports Management, Mick Mills is now retired. However, he still works as a football commentator for BBC Radio Suffolk. He continues to do this on match days.

In 2010, Mick Mills became a supporter of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. This charity helps people with cancer.

Career statistics

Club

International

Managerial statistics

Honours

As a player

Ipswich Town

• FA Cup: 1978
• UEFA Cup: 1981
• Texaco Cup: 1973
• Football League First Division runner-up: 1980–81, 1981–82
• Football League Second Division: 1967–68

Southampton

• Football League First Division runner-up: 1983–84

Individual

• Ipswich Town Player of the Year: 1977–1978
• Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year: 1976–77
• Ipswich Town Hall of Fame: Inducted 2007

See also

In Spanish: Mick Mills para niños

• List of footballers with the most official appearances